Alex

Born in Baden-Baden, Germany, my family moved to Perth, Western Australia when I was 5 years old. I spent 6 years studying at Murdoch University. I accomplished a double major in Biological and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Marine Sciences. In my final year I completed a post graduate Honours degree in conjunction with industry partners Alcoa of Australia. My thesis was titled ‘Effect of uneven fertilizer application during the rehabilitation of the jarrah forest (Eucalyptus marginata) after bauxite mining in south-west Western Australia.’

Mattiske Consulting was my first employer after completing university. Working within the field of environmental consulting was a challenging prospect. I developed many skills during the time of the mining boom in Western Australia when companies were clamouring to complete project feasibility studies. Within two years I became a project leader for key mining clients. This included various jobs such as pre-mining vegetation mapping, rehabilitation assessments and rehabilitation research on behalf of mining clients.

After my stint in consulting I moved to Alcoa of Australia spending five years working with Dr John Koch researching new methods to establish rehabilitation after mining in the jarrah forest. Numerous research trials were developed; aimed at increasing the species diversity and similarity to the pre-mining forest. My understanding of the processes driving forest rehabilitation grew substantially under the guidance of John and others within the research department.

I then spent 2 years in charge of the Environmental Department at the Alcoa Willowdale Mine in Western Australia. Overseeing all environmental issues on the mine site, managing staff, training personnel and advising the production department on environmental matters were all part of my daily tasks. Although I enjoyed this job very much it was time to explore the world and take a year or more for a sabbatical.

Anneka

Born in Dundee, Scotland, my family moved to Perth, Western Australia when I was 11. After finishing high school I packed my bags to explore the world. Starting off working in a boarding school in England, I also worked in a restaurant in Nerja, southern Spain; as a counsellor for children with special needs in Pennsylvania, USA and in a residential care home in Comrie, Scotland. After returning to study Politics and Anthropology at the University of Western Australia for one year, I got itchy feet again and travelled Australia, volunteered in Kenya and backpacked in South America.

Deciding to bite the bullet and (reluctantly) finish off my undergraduate degree, I returned to Perth and, but also managed to study for a semester at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. After finishing my degree, I started working in the Western Australian state government, first as a graduate at the Department of Mines and Petroleum, before moving to the Dep of Aboriginal Affairs. My main role was to investigate damage to Aboriginal heritage sites. I also developed the compliance audit program and trained regional officers. I spent time in other branches, managing community development grants and the departments’ reconciliation action plan, and also acting as Executive Manager to the Accountable Government branch.

My interests include travel, culture and nature. I love to learn about the history and diversity of people. I enjoy practicing yoga and am getting pretty good at chaturanga dandasana, though the side crow continues to elude me. Having worked with Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, I am interested in projects that provide mutually beneficial relationships between people and their environment. I believe in the power of local, grass root initiatives, but am also aware that in order to be effective, programs need to have good governance and be sustainable. Any efforts to promote environmental conversation must address the cultural context in which they are situated.